Which car to convert potential can of worms

[Spartan Warrior]

Just joined,own and run an original 260Z in Darwin as previously posted, also posted under wanted for a 240 Z as a project car! I like the 260Z and a second project car for spares makes sense, what is the reason that most choose to convert the 240Z.

 

My question is to the more experienced members what would be the ideal car that they would chose to modify and ideal setup? What would members pay for such a project base car and in what condition?

 

I would like to acheive a well balanced car with exceptional road holding and handling, with fast progressive acceleration, not fussed about maximum top end speed as that is not possible within Darwin.

 

I expect that I may have opened a can of worms on this one, but will be very interested in members views on the subject, if its been covered before, apologies in advance, but asking for advice before I start my project is all part of my research, what better way than to ask by way of this forum, thank you in advance to those that reply!

[pauly_adams]

i would personaly go the 260z 2+2 but many ohter people would disagree, the reason y i like the 2+2 is it is wider and seems to handle better etc they just dont look as good so the 260z 2 seater would be better then the 240z in my oppinion. as for the engine setup id go for a 2jzge vvti or the 2jzgte vvti due to lots of torque and plenty of power also ive read many posts on people doing converions in just a couple of full days check this web page out it will help if you want to do a toyotoa conversion

 

 

http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=127163

 

cheers pauly

[reverendzed]

I'm with Pauly, however I reckon we have greatly sold the 260 2+2 short! many of the great sports cars of the Zed era had the small rear seats and the clean lines of the zed hide the longer body well.....don't believe me? I've had countless people have to take a second at mine to realise it wasn't a 2 seater.  The pro's are there are way more parts available for the 2+2 and you can take passengers for a nice cruise (even if it's with their knees around their chin!). Whatever Zed you decide on it's a WIN/WIN!

Rev.

[Spartan Warrior]

paul_adams & reverendzed thank you, I should have added that I run a 260 Z  2 plus 2 and think that the shape is great, love the back seat and the space, it would also make sense to use any spares from the project for my original and current car, thank you for the advice

[yellazed]

Pauly: You've started something now! 

 

I'm afraid I have to jump in here and spring to defence of the true sports car. 

 

I know it's an argument that has raged for ever and will never end, but I must disagree with the 2+2 lovers here. Perhaps this thread should never have started!

 

Flame suit well and truly donned, IMHO, the 2+2 is the ugly duckling, the heavy rear end at odds with the sleek nose. The squared-off roofline awkward compared to the gracious curve of the 2-seater.

 

The 2-seater was the original, i.e. 240Z, which AFIK was never offered in a 2+2 variant. The 2+2 emerged with the arrival of the 260Z as a sop to the American market, wanting a shopping trolley.

 

A true sports car must be a 2-seater - others are Tourers.  The clean, balanced lines of the E-Type Jag were cruelly spoiled years later by the 'pregnant pastie' took of the 2+2.  More angular, the 260Z suffered the same overweight appearance when the 2nd row of seats was jammed in. It could have been done better.

 

This continued with the Z31 - ungainly shape with the 2+2, almost tolerable in the 2-seater.

 

Finally with the Z32 Nissan got it right. Subtle lengthening of the wheelbase and a rearrangement of the fuel tank position resulted in a smooth shape almost indistinguishable from the 2-seater, apart from a couple of degrees more rake on the rear hatch and 100mm or so in the dog leg. The fuel filler position is the real give-away.

 

I have a 2-seater Z32 and a 2+2. I like them both. If I had to choose though, I would keep the 2-seater.

 

Practical though the S30 2+2 may be, sadly in the design stakes it's a distant second for me.  I bought a 2-seater 260Z and would not have considered a 2+2.

 

There!  Let the argument rage!!

 

 

[pauly_adams]

i would have to agree with you partily i realy do agree with you that the 260z 2 seater looks better and is more sporty and i would love to own 1 some day but as for practicality the 2+2 wins for me the fact that it is wider, parts are more avalible and the extra 100kg isnt that much of a issue just remove the spare and some other parts and presto you back to 1100kg as for the 280zx and the z31 i agree there realy ugly and nissan nearly destroyed the z name with them but dont judge the 260z 2+2 till you drive 1 everyday cause there a great car and handle sweetly

 

my 2cents

 

cheers pauly

[zedevan]

my thoughts are if u want a 4 seater L6 series powered car get a c210 skyline, atleast their whole body shape is square and not a weird mix of the two

[yellazed]

my thoughts are if u want a 4 seater L6 series powered car get a c210 skyline, atleast their whole body shape is square and not a weird mix of the two

 

Well put. 

[Spartan Warrior]

yellazed, thank you for your comments, new owner and that's why I started the thread, interesting replies to date

[reverendzed]

Yellazed you almost had me converted.....almost! I must say it was a passionate discourse for the 'older' 2 seater brother! and being careful not to sound like a heretic, truth be known I would love to have both!  In the meantime I will gently nurture my 2+2 into the gruntiest, ole school beauty that she is meant to be!  Zedevan.....brother....what was that sly skyline comment really all about!!!LOL

 

All I know is that I wouldn't drive anything other than a ZED....Can I get an AMEN!

[Mr Camouflage]

The 260z 2+2 has the same track as the 2 seater. so the slightly wider rear body work really doesn't mean anything in terms of handling. The extra wheel base does make it less cart like, or smoother over bumps, or so I've heard.

[gav240z]

For those wanting a visual on what Mr C is talking about use Wiki

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheelbase

[gav240z]

Just joined,own and run an original 260Z in Darwin as previously posted, also posted under wanted for a 240 Z as a project car! I like the 260Z and a second project car for spares makes sense, what is the reason that most choose to convert the 240Z.

 

My question is to the more experienced members what would be the ideal car that they would chose to modify and ideal setup? What would members pay for such a project base car and in what condition?

 

I would like to acheive a well balanced car with exceptional road holding and handling, with fast progressive acceleration, not fussed about maximum top end speed as that is not possible within Darwin.

 

I expect that I may have opened a can of worms on this one, but will be very interested in members views on the subject, if its been covered before, apologies in advance, but asking for advice before I start my project is all part of my research, what better way than to ask by way of this forum, thank you in advance to those that reply!

 

What are you wanting to convert exactly? If you are moving away from the original L-series I'd suggest a 260z 2 seater since they are more robust in terms of body strength and safer too. Also you can probably get a 260z 2 seater in better knick with less rust and at a lower price than an early 240z.

 

Not to mention the later 260z was refined in terms of electrics. Of course if you are like me or Sulio and prefer the 240z rear lights the conversion is pretty straight forward. The dash conversion may be more difficult and possibly not worthwhile.

 

If you are looking to race, depending on the category a 240z may be better if mods are restricted due to emission rubbish on the 260z.

 

I had a 260z 2+2 and it did seem to handle slightly differently and was a bit more forgiving, I find that the 2 seater can whip around real quick in the wet if your not careful.

 

The 2+2 has good luggage space when you fold down the rear seats and make it a 2 seater.

[gav240z]

my thoughts are if u want a 4 seater L6 series powered car get a c210 skyline, atleast their whole body shape is square and not a weird mix of the two

 

Sorry can't agree with that, the C210 was a lemon if you ask me. It was ugly heavy and just an overall disappointment of a car. (Sorry if anyone likes them but its just the way I feel).

 

The C10 and C110 on the other hand are alot nicer but I don't like the C110 in 240K form at all.

[yellazed]

Gav:

 

That's just the point. I think Zedevan was saying that if looks don't bother you, go the C210, an ugly duckling 4-seater.  I took it as an attempt at humour, maybe sarcasm, or even satire?  I don't think it was aimed at anyone.

 

All these comments are reflections of personal taste and there is never a right or wrong. After all is said and done, there is beauty in everything. (Even 2+2 S30s! )

[Spartan Warrior]

thank you for the replies to date, for my next hand grenade I am looking for the perfect Z road car, not interested in racing at all!

 

There are some really nice converted cars out there but its deciding which way to go, my 260 Z 2 plus 2 will stay in its original condition and be restored as it is run (its my daily drive to work) therefore as posted looking for a project car and to save another Z!

 

 

 

[yellazed]

Everyone will have a differing opinion. My story, for what it's worth:

 

I bought a fairly well sorted 2-seater 260Z which had received a very professional V8 conversion - warm 350sbc, disk brake upgrade, coilovers, etc.  Solid, rust free, fantastic condition underneath, great paint, excellent trim but in need of cosmetic work. Great base from which to continue the development. It had a TH350 auto which I knew had to go, so it has now had a transplant - a 6-speed Tremec T56 from a Clubsport R8. (big job) Then all the instruments were replaced with Autometer Pro-Comps, and so on it goes. Lots more in the pipeline yet.

 

That's one way to go. Tons of grunt - a real muscle car and far from subtle.

 

My next project, though will be a 240Z with the classic period mods - worked L24, triple webers, 5-speed, 16" Watanabes, etc - Wangan Midnight style, if you will. Light, nimble, yet with a sting.

 

Why the 240Z?  Because it was the first. It has that simple, charming, almost naïve quality that comes from the first model, the product of years of design work which produced the car that burst onto the scene and captured the imagination. The design that the engineers had spent years sweating over and was yet still far from perfection. It has endearing faults, yet represents the first and purest form of the beast.

 

Later beefed up and 'improved', often just for the sake of change, the 260Z was a second iteration. Nothing fresh - the impact had aleady been made. Subtle body strengthening, 'revised' dash layout, anti-pollution gear creeping onto the engine, but none of the brash 'new kid on the block' about it . Just a solid lookalike. Then the gradual slide into middle age oblivion, overweight and sluggish 280Z, then the awful 280ZX, both of which are to be avoided at all cost.

 

So for me two different approaches, but both far from stock.  I went through a phase years ago of fastidious pursuit of originality, down to infinite details like correct underbonnet decals, nothing repro, everything nos and EXACTLY as it was from the factory, etc, but these days, nah - but I do respect those who are still on that journey.

 

I'd say: be prepared to pay for a well sorted example, not a 'Hugo' rust bucket, a 240Z or a 260Z 2-seater, if you can find one, that doesn't need too much work and go from there.

 

But ultimately it's all about what YOU want.